Joe Mazzulla Reveals Plan for Celtics Top 6, Including Who's Starting vs. Knicks

In the Boston Celtics' preseason opener, a 114-106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Jrue Holiday came off the bench. Al Horford started alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum in the frontcourt, and the backcourt consisted of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.

But Holiday recently arrived in Boston, making it ill-advised to read into him coming off the pine that night. His doing so against the New York Knicks on Tuesday would be a different story.

For his part, the two-time All-Star expressed after Monday's practice at the Auerbach Center, "It's not that big of a deal. I like winning. Winning is really important. Playing good on the court is important. Supporting my teammates is important. So, it's not always how you start, it's how you finish."

And the closing lineup, which the former UCLA Bruin will be a fixture in, matters more than who starts.

But in Tuesday's tilt vs. New York, Holiday will start alongside Derrick White in the backcourt, with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis forming the frontcourt.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla also shared the plan is to "ramp up" minutes for the team's top six and play them in both of Boston's final two preseason games.

It will be interesting to see if that happens or if any or all of that group gets Thursday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets off. Having nearly a week before the regular season opener vs. the Knicks will factor into that calculus and may be why Mazzulla said he intends to play all six in Charlotte.

Further Reading

Jrue Holiday Open to Sixth-Man Role: 'I Like Winning'

The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White

Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time

Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify

Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason

From Envisioning Being a Buck for Life to Joining Top Rival, Jrue Holiday's Ready to Help Celtics Get Where He's Already Been

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Determined to Deliver Banner 18, Jayson Tatum's 'Looking Forward to Doing More, And So Should Everybody Else"

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

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